Jim Cerny at Blueshirts United reports that after going the first nine games without a goal Derek Stepan says he was starting to “overthink” things on the ice until Brad Richards stepped in to get him straight a few practices before the Sharks game…

“This guy over here (pointing to Richards) grabbed me one day at practice and said don’t let your head think too much, just go play,” Stepan explained. “I battle with this quite a bit actually. I did it last year when I went (17) games without a goal after my first three (on opening night). You have to get in between your own ears and battle it, get an ugly (goal) and get going again. And Brad helped me with that.”

Obviously the conversation worked as Stepan scored his first goal of the season on Monday.

…we all know what Richards brings to the team offensively, but a huge benefit to acquiring in a veteran like Richards is his ability to teach the younger players. While I’ve done my fair share of criticizing of the Richards signing players like Stepan and Anisimov are going benefit greatly from having the All Star center on the team for the next 50 years or however long the contract is.

Jim Cerny at Blueshirts United reports that after going the first nine games without a goal Derek Stepan says he was starting to “overthink” things on the ice until Brad Richards stepped in to get him straight a few practices before the Sharks game…

“This guy over here (pointing to Richards) grabbed me one day at practice and said don’t let your head think too much, just go play,” Stepan explained. “I battle with this quite a bit actually. I did it last year when I went (17) games without a goal after my first three (on opening night). You have to get in between your own ears and battle it, get an ugly (goal) and get going again. And Brad helped me with that.”

Obviously the conversation worked as Stepan scored his first goal of the season on Monday.

…we all know what Richards brings to the team offensively, but a huge benefit to acquiring in a veteran like Richards is his ability to teach the younger players. While I’ve done my fair share of criticizing of the Richards signing players like Stepan and Anisimov are going benefit greatly from having the All Star center on the team for the next 50 years or however long the contract is.